Egyptian Art/Architecture during the New Kingdom

E1: We were inserted into Thebes, during the reign of Akhenaten. We approached a construction project nearby. Unlike Old and Middle Kingdom architecture, the grand buildings of the New Kingdom made use of “pylons”, large ornate gateways depicting scenes of the pharaoh.

Painters and sculptors were at work applying details on a bas-relief. Despite the stubborn nature of Egyptian art, the art style had changed dramatically. The relief was made in the “Amarna style”, a change sponsored by the Pharaoh himself. The figures on the wall looked feminine and grotesque, with distended bellies and prominent lips, depicted gender notwithstanding.

A portrait of Akhenaten in the Amarna style

The painters were making use of several dyes. I inquired as to the composition of said dyes. One of them curtly replied that they used ochre of several varieties, malachite, and azurite.

We exited and reentered normal reality at approximately 1500 hours.

E2: We were inserted into Tanis, during the reign of Rameses IV. We were tasked with inspecting various monuments and temple complexes.

We paid a ship to take us upriver as far as the 2nd cataract. We stopped at several locations along the way, all of which were built during the New Kingdom:

Luxor Temple - A temple not dedicated to either the pharaoh or any god(s), but rather as a temple to the concept of the rejuvenation of kingship. Many pharaohs were said to have been crowned here. The Amarna style present during the reign of Akhenaten seems to have been supplanted in its’ entirety by the style preceding it.

Temple complex at Karnak -  Over time, 30 pharaohs, each seeking to leave their own mark on the complex, expanded and added to it. Each precinct of the complex is dedicated to a different pharaoh, god, or set of gods. The Precinct of Amun-Re is by far the largest, encompassing several buildings, pylons, and a sacred lake.

The complex is spread over an area of 200 acres.

Medinet Habu

Medinet Habu - This temple was the mortuary temple of Rameses III, and as such, it serves to commemorate his life and accomplishments. There are three pylons in the entire complex, and the walls are adorned with steles of Rameses smiting the Sea Peoples single-handedly. The temple was planned to receive sunlight directly in the doorway during the 21st of February and October.

After inspecting the final site, we returned to normal reality at 1600 hours, about 2 weeks after our insertion.